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Getting Started

Getting started with SoLoPrint
By Jeremy Smith
• 16 articles

Use Cloud and This computer in SoLoPrint Desktop

SoLoPrint Desktop has one navigation and account experience. Files, Printers, Queue, Slicer, and Settings provide a clear source choice where both cloud and local capabilities exist: - Cloud uses the live SoLoPrint service and shared organization data. - This computer uses files, printers, cameras, settings, and the bundled OrcaSlicer on the current computer. Losing internet access changes the connectivity indicator; it does not put SoLoPrint into a different mode. Cloud-only destinations explain that they need a connection, while local tools remain available. What works on this computer - Create or import a local STL, 3MF, G-code, or BG-code project. - Preview local STL and 3MF models with the shared SoLoPrint viewer. - Rotate, scale, lay flat, reset, and conservatively repair local STL files. - Slice with the bundled OrcaSlicer version and profiles. - Preview generated or imported G-code layer by layer and retain generated G-code across restarts. - Discover supported Bambu printers and configure Bambu or Klipper / Moonraker printers on the same local network. - Update and test a saved printer address, Moonraker port, or replacement LAN credential. - Add and manage cameras connected to this computer. - Run redacted Connection Center diagnostics, manage start-at-login, and review the installed version. The Help link remains available, but Help Center content requires internet access. - Review the computer-local print queue. The complete object tree, multi-object Arrange workflow, advanced authoring tools, rich embedded 3MF editing, organizations, users, billing, remote access, shared cloud files, collaborative queues, and cloud notifications still require the Cloud source. Reconnection and synchronization When service returns, SoLoPrint re-enables Cloud destinations without moving you away from the current local page. Pending local source files and generated G-code that were explicitly associated with the signed-in account synchronize as new This computer copy records; they never overwrite a cloud file. In Files → This computer, a project created while signed out or left unassigned by an older release shows Copy to current account after you sign in. Confirming that action binds only that pending revision and creates a new, non-overwriting cloud copy. Switching accounts never silently transfers another account's local copy intent; work associated with a different account is shown only as unavailable for the current account, without revealing its identity. Printer-control commands are never replayed. SoLoPrint restores the account from the operating-system credential manager and refreshes the secure Bridge tunnel. Normal restarts, updates, access-token expiry, and temporary outages should not require another sign-in. If the top-right account section still shows Sign in, open Settings → This computer → Desktop settings, choose Run diagnostics, then Copy report before authenticating again so support can distinguish a revoked session from credential-storage or refresh failure. Local data is not deleted. Manage printer connections Open Printers → This computer or use the system-tray action Printers & connections. Bambu and Moonraker printers expose Edit settings for their address and LAN credential; Moonraker also exposes its port, while Bambu service ports remain managed automatically. Leave the credential field blank to retain the stored value and use Test connection before saving when possible. For a broader check, open Settings → This computer and choose Run diagnostics. The copyable report includes connection results but excludes access codes, API keys, and account tokens. Keep SoLoPrint Desktop current SoLoPrint checks for a newer desktop version after startup. If an update is available, choose Download and install to download, verify, install, and restart it. Choose Later if a print or local task is in progress. To check manually, use Check for Updates… in the system-tray menu. SoLoPrint installs only release bundles that pass signature verification. For more help, visit help.soloprint.app.

Last updated on Sep 09, 2026

Rotate models precisely

SoLoPrint uses an OrcaSlicer-style rotation control. First choose an axis, then drag its blue two-cone handle. The selected axis stays active until you click a different colored axis ring or leave Rotate mode. While dragging the handle: - Use the inner guide annulus for 45° snapping. - Touch the outer teeth for 5° snapping. - Use the center, the space between the annulus and teeth, or the area outside the teeth for smooth rotation. Use the rotation dial 1. Open Prepare and select the model you want to adjust. 2. Select Rotate in the top toolbar. 3. Click the red X, green Y, or blue Z rotation ring. You can move the pointer away after clicking because the axis remains selected. 4. Move to the blue control made from a center circle and two opposite cones. 5. Press and drag that handle. You can move away from it while dragging because it retains pointer control until you release. The high-contrast dial stays on the selected rotation axis. Eight lines across the inner annulus mark 45° positions, and 72 outer teeth mark 5° positions. The outer teeth stay visually lighter than the main dial, while the colored X, Y, and Z selector rings are heavier for easier targeting. The active detent region turns blue. A blue arc, one bidirectional handle, and an attached 0° through 360° label show the current rotation. Choose the right section - Move through the inner annulus, between one-third and two-thirds of the dial radius, for 45° changes. - Touch the outer tooth band, from the main circle to 10% beyond it, for 5° changes. - Use any other radial position for smooth, unsnapped motion. Inside either snap region, the model stays on the current line until the pointer reaches the next line. Moving out of a snap region immediately returns to smooth control. Enter an exact angle For an exact typed value, use Model Rotation in the Prepare settings. The X, Y, and Z fields accept degree values directly. If the model moves unexpectedly - Use Undo in the Prepare toolbar to restore the previous orientation. - Select Reset if you want to remove all model transform changes. - Use Lay Flat when the goal is to place a specific face on the bed instead of manually estimating its angle.

Last updated on Sep 09, 2026

Open complete OrcaSlicer projects

SoLoPrint can open and slice an untouched OrcaSlicer or Bambu Studio 3MF without flattening project data. Geometry, plates, variable layers, painted facets, Core/Materials-extension properties, and other rich project parts remain in the original archive and are passed to the managed OrcaSlicer runtime. Map project materials SoLoPrint distinguishes the profiles saved in an Orca project from the colors the project actually uses. A long filament_settings_id palette or filament_maps nozzle-routing vector does not create extra active colors by itself. A single-color project can therefore use External spool even when its 3MF retains several saved filament profiles. When the project actually references multiple colors, select AMS / AMS Lite and map each visible Project color to a distinct loaded tray with a resolved filament profile. SoLoPrint preserves the project's original one-based logical slot numbers, including valid gaps such as slots 2 through 8 with slot 1 unused. Every referenced slot must have a profile in the ordered palette before slicing. If a material warning remains, return to Setup, refresh AMS trays, and confirm that every active project color has a unique tray. SoLoPrint directs incomplete mappings back to Project colors instead of reporting that the whole project format is unsupported. It will not guess a missing profile or silently merge two project materials. If Saved settings reports a temporary service update, the project itself is not unsupported. Machine, material, and quality presets remain available; use Retry saved settings after the service recovers. If slicing fails, keep the reference shown in the dialog. Retry once, then send that reference to support so the managed OrcaSlicer request can be traced without sharing printer credentials or private server details. Some Orca projects use nonconsecutive tool numbers, such as colors 2 through 8 without color 1. SoLoPrint shows the referenced project colors and preserves those original tool positions when it sends the unchanged project to Orca; unused gaps do not need their own user-visible mapping. Editing versus unchanged slicing An unchanged project can use Orca features that SoLoPrint's Prepare editor does not reproduce. Those projects are locked against edits that would rebuild and lose semantics. To change unsupported rich project data, edit it in desktop OrcaSlicer and reopen the saved 3MF. Standard models and projects whose object graph is fully supported remain editable in SoLoPrint. File safety limits 3MF files remain bounded for security: no more than 2,048 archive entries, 32 MiB expanded per member, 128 MiB aggregate expansion, and a 1000:1 compression-ratio ceiling for large members. These limits apply to actual expanded output and retain CRC and archive-structure checks. A file outside those bounds must be simplified or split before import; the safety limits are not removed for Orca compatibility.

Last updated on Sep 09, 2026